VI. Various Varieties
As discussed above, Scotch matured in Sherry casks is problematic due to the absence of the ratio necessary for nullification. Some varieties are more problematic than others, as will be explained.
A) Sherry Casks Mentioned on Label
Many bottles of Scotch list on the label the type of cask used for maturation. If Sherry casks are mentioned on the label, this generally indicates that there is a high percentage of Sherry casks present. This will generally disallow nullification, as will be explained.
a) 100% Sherry Casks
It is important to note that the problem of Sherry casks generally applies only to Scotch that is labeled as 100% Sherry casks. This can be expressed in a number of ways:
1) The label states that it was matured in Sherry casks (such as The Macallan 12-Year-Old which is “exclusively matured in selected Sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain”).
2) The Scotch was “finished” in Sherry (or other wine) casks (such as Glenmorangie Lasanta which is “initially matured in bourbon casks, then extra matured or ‘finished’ in Oloroso Sherry casks”.
3) It was “double-matured” (such as The Balvenie DoubleWood 12-Year-Old which is matured in traditional whisky oak casks and a “further few months’ maturation in European oak Sherry casks”).
Such Scotch, which is 100% Sherry cask matured or finished, is problematic because it does not have a liquid-to-wood ratio of at least 6:1.
b) Mixture of Sherry and Bourbon Casks
Even if the label mentions Sherry casks, some Single Malts may still be acceptable. Several varieties of Single Malt Scotch found on the market consist of a mixture of bourbon casks and Sherry casks (e.g., Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old). (This should not be confused with “double-matured” Scotch mentioned above which refers to Scotch that is matured first in bourbon casks and then in Sherry casks.) This Scotch is more lenient because only the portion of Scotch that originated in Sherry casks requires nullification. The portion that originated in bourbon casks does not require nullification.
Generally, the volume of Scotch which originated in non-wine barrels, in addition to the Scotch itself, is enough to nullify the wine blios b’sheish. Based on various calculations, it appears that any Scotch containing a mixture of Sherry and bourbon casks may be assumed to have at least sheish against the non-kosher wine blios, provided that the percentage of Sherry casks is less than 66.5%. Listed below are a number of examples that fit this criterion.
In the example above (Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old), the label (newly designed) states that it is “matured in the finest Oloroso sherry & bourbon casks.” Although the distiller does not disclose the cask breakdown, other sources reveal that it is 85% ex-bourbon cask, 15% ex-Sherry cask. Since only 15% of the Scotch originated in Sherry casks, the wine blios are batul b’sheish.
Another example, the label of the Glenfiddich 18-Year-Old states that it is “matured in the finest Oloroso Sherry and bourbon casks, [and] is then married for at least three months in oak tuns.” According to the official Glenfiddich blog (run by Glenfiddich ambassadors and linked from the main site): “The 18-year-old is a vatting of 80% American oak matured whiskies and 20% European (wine barrels), a very classy whisky that ensures we remain the most awarded single malt whisky in the world.” Since only 20% of the Scotch originated in Sherry casks, the wine blios are surely nullified.
With regard to Glenfiddich 15-Year-Old, the label states, “The richly layered Glenfiddich 15-Year-Old is matured in three types of oak cask: sherry, bourbon and new oak before being married in our unique, handcrafted Solera vat.” According to acclaimed whisky writer Dave Broom (The World Atlas of Whisky, Octopus Publishing, 2010, pg. 69), the split is 70% bourbon, 20% Sherry, 10% new oak casks. Because only 20% of this Scotch was Sherry-cask matured, the wine blios are batul b’sheish.
An additional example of this is The Macallan Fine Oak 10-Year-Old (not to be confused with The Macallan Sherry Oak). The label states that it is “triple cask matured in a unique complex combination of exceptional oak casks; European Oak casks seasoned with Sherry, American Oak casks seasoned with Sherry, American Oak casks seasoned with bourbon.” Although the company does not disclose the cask breakdown, at least one source reveals that 50% of the whisky originated in bourbon casks. Accordingly, the non-kosher wine blios may be assumed to be nullified b’sheish.
Many expressions of The Dalmore are a mixture of Sherry and bourbon casks and the breakdown is listed on the carton (but not the bottle). The Dalmore 12-Years-Old states on the carton that it is “50% bourbon American White Oak and 50% Oloroso Sherry wood.” The Dalmore Gran Reserva is “matured and married in 60% Sherry wood and 40% American White Oak.” These percentages of Sherry casks, all under 66.5%, may be assumed to be batul b’sheish. However, The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve is “70% Oloroso Sherry wood; 30% bourbon American White Oak.” The wine blios in this expression may not be batul b’sheish.
Most Sherry-cask single malts currently on the market are a mixture of Sherry casks and bourbon casks; based on the above, these products are likely permissible.
B) No Mention of Sherry Casks on the Label
In the previous section we discussed Scotch which mentioned Sherry casks on the label. Such Scotch, if 100% Sherry-cask matured or finished, is problematic due to the absence of a six-to-one ratio against the non-kosher wine blios. If, however, the label makes no mention of wine casks, a doubt exists as to whether such casks were used, and therefore, the dictum safek d’rabbanan l’hakkel [one may be lenient when in doubt regarding a Rabbinical prohibition] applies (Igros Moshe, Yoreh Deah 1:62, based on Rema 114:10 and Shach 114:21). Furthermore, if there is no mention of Sherry on the label one can assume that it was not matured in Sherry casks. Since Sherry cask maturation is a great marketing gimmick, distillers are likely to advertise the use of Sherry casks (and charge more accordingly).
It should be noted that Single Malt Scotch generally comes from many casks which are vatted (mixed) with other Single malts (sometimes of different ages) from the same distillery. Accordingly, it is quite possible that a Single Malt may contain some Scotch that originated in Sherry casks, even though there is no mention of Sherry casks on the label. (According to a source familiar with the subject, a typical expression has 10-20% Sherry casks in the vatting even with no mention of Sherry on the label.) However, the minimal volume of wine blios from such barrels is generally nullified in the Scotch originating in non-wine barrels. This is especially true if the label makes no mention of Sherry casks, thus indicating that even if some Sherry casks were indeed used, it is likely only a small amount. The higher the Sherry influence, the more likely distillers are to mention it on the label.
An example of this is The Balvenie 10-Year-Old Founder’s Reserve; the label makes no mention of wine casks, but the accompanying brochure states that some Sherry casks were used: “[The Balvenie Founder’s Reserve] results from a marriage of The Balvenie Single Malt matured in bourbon casks with that matured in sherry casks, or butts.” Although the brochure does not disclose the cask breakdown, other sources reveal that this Scotch was matured in 90% American oak and 10% Sherry. Since the volume of Scotch originating in Sherry casks is only 10%, the wine blios are batul b’sheish. The distiller did not mention Sherry casks on the label apparently because of its low presence. Accordingly, if the label makes no mention of wine casks or finishes, one can assume that wine casks were not used, or the percentage of wine casks were minimal, small enough to be batul b’sheish.
C) Label Mentions Bourbon (or American) Casks
On occasion, a Single Malt may state on the label “matured in Bourbon casks” or “matured in American Oak casks.” In such an instance there is no case to be stringent at all. As explained above, if Sherry casks are not mentioned on the label there is strong argument to be lenient and assume that Sherry casks were not used (or only minimally used). This is surely true if the distillery actually claims that bourbon casks were used. In this scenario the company can certainly be believed because Sherry casks are generally perceived as enhancing the whisky.
D) Blended Scotch Whisky
It should be noted that this entire discussion refers only to Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Blended Scotch Whisky (e.g., Grant’s, Johnnie Walker), consisting mainly of grain whisky, is generally not a problem.
According to scotchwhisky.net, a blended Scotch whisky may contain a combination of whiskies from over 40 or 50 different malt and grain distilleries. It is generally accepted that only a very small percentage, if any, of grain whisky is aged in Sherry casks. As such, even if whisky from Sherry casks were blended in, it is likely to be only a small amount of the entire blend lending itself to bitul. Further, if the label makes no mention of Sherry casks then a doubt exists if such casks were used, as mentioned above.
Summary of Section VI: Sherry-matured Scotch is problematic only if it was certainly 100% Sherry cask matured (e.g., the label declares “exclusively matured,” “finished,” or “double-matured” in Sherry or other wine cask). If, however, a doubt exists if it was 100% Sherry-matured or the Scotch is a mixture of bourbon and Sherry casks, one may assume that the Sherry wine is batul b’sheish (a ba’al nefesh, though, must be concerned that it isn’t batul b’shishim). Further, if the label makes no mention of Sherry casks, then one may assume Sherry casks were not used. This is certainly true if the label claims that the whisky was matured in bourbon or American oak casks. The vast majority of Single Malt Scotch currently on the market is not 100% Sherry-matured or finished and is therefore permitted (mei’ikur hadin). Blended Scotch is almost certainly not a problem.
